Millions of people were evacuated in Florida, Georgia, and North and South Carolina ahead of the storm’s anticipated arrival along the southeastern US coast.

However, on Thursday - the same day Florida governor Rick Scott warned of the storm’s potential devastation - people were seen gathering on the state’s beaches and recklessly pushing their luck to catch one more wave.

With the hurricane winds fast approaching, surfers were spotted by WSVN 7 News taking advantage of the rough North Atlantic swells lashing Fort Lauderdale on Thursday.

A photo posted by The Inertia (@theinertia) on Oct 6, 2016 at 7:34pm PDT

The hurricane has had a particularly devastating effect on Haiti, killing at least 572 people. The storm has since been downgraded from a category 4 to a 3, but winds as strong as 107mph (169kph) battered Florida on Friday.

Hurricane Matthew is forecast to continue traveling northwards up the east coast of the US, but has not made landfall.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued an extreme weather warning for Florida and Georgia, urging residents to “take cover” immediately.

“Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows," a NOAA statement recommended. “If you are outdoors… move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.”